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Sunday, 2 August 2015

My precious boy. Today you are two
years old! Two! And what a little character you are. You are such a
delight, you are curious about everything and love to communicate. Last
month you decided you'd start talking, you are saying so many different
words and putting together two and three word sentences. Your first two
word sentence was "miss Daddy". You do miss your Daddy but you handle
him being away fairly well, it's all you've known so it's normal to
you. You
have a very strong personality and everyone knows when you are not
happy about something. I can see you are going to be a fiesty one, you
don't hesitate to stick up for yourself. Chai and you are developing a beautiful relationship. You love playing together and I'll often find you both sitting in the toy room playing cars or dinosaurs. Your
favourite book is Cheeky Monkey and your favourite toys are balls, you
love balls, we have them all over the house. You'll fall asleep with a
ball clutched in your hand and it's still there when you wake up.
Jumping is another thing you love to do. After much determined effort you started jumping when you were 19 months and you haven't looked back. You love when we go to your aunty's house and you get to jump on the trampoline.

You don't yet sleep through the night and you're still breastfeeding, you aren't showing any signs of giving up the boob soon. As far as you are concerned a feed is the cure for anything that ails you. My beautiful son, you are my greatest joy, the sunshine in my day and the reason I get out of bed every day (and several times every night). I'm so glad you chose me to be your mum.

Thursday, 30 July 2015

2. If it had of been me I would have changed this town for the better, I have several brilliant idea's, I just need money to make them a reality. 3. Kosmea is releasing a Rose lip balm at the end of August. I need it.4. On Monday I had my first appointment with the naturopath to start my rejuvenation program. I'm so excited.5. Things in the country are such a rip off. The companies know they have no opposition so they charge through the nose. It makes me so angry. We just got charged a $115 call out fee for someone to fix our hot water system. He was here for 20 minutes.

6. I don't understand the whole Adam Goodes booing thing. Other players get boo'd (and did during that game), so why is it racist when he gets boo'd? I suspect they must be saying racist things and that's why the booing is racist?

7. I have no Ed Sheeran thoughts this month, how sad.

8. My baby is two in a few days. I'm so clucky, I'd love another baby.

Tuesday, 28 July 2015

Choosing my three favourite squeeze tube lip balms was a lot harder than I thought it would be. Even now I'm still pondering if I should have included the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector and CO Bigelow Mentha Lip Tints. In the end I chose the three balms that I've been using the most over the last few months.

Lanolips - I've shown the Banana balm but it's any Lanolips balm. At the moment my favourites are Banana balm and the Peach 101 ointment. They're super hydrating and the 101 ointments can be used for all sorts of different things, so they're a great handbag staple.

Rose and Co Rose Petal Salve - A rose scented balm had to make this list. Why aren't there more rose lip balms available? I'd buy them all! Rose Petal Salve is another multi purpose balm. It's very thick so makes a great winter lip balm.

Red Earth Lip Nectar - Red Earth was one of my favourite brands in the 90's so you can imagine my excitement when they made a return. Their products are just as good as they were in the 90's. I'm loving the Lip Nectar, it gives a beautiful wash of colour is very hydrating. If you're in the market for a tinted lip balm you need to give this one a try.

Saturday, 25 July 2015

I've been using Facial Blend for over a year now and it's true love. If I could only use one face oil for the rest of my life this would be it, it's that amazing.

I recently ran out so started using a different brand whilst waiting for my new bottle of Facial Blend to arrive, it was the worst five days of my life! Facial Blend is perfect in every way. It smells like a warm, calming cuddle. The texture is great, not too greasy and not too light. When I use Facial Blend my face feels comfortable all day, I don't get that uncomfortable tightness half way through the day and I also don't turn into a grease ball. In summer I use it in place of moisturiser and in winter I use it as a serum under moisturiser.

If I had to find a negative it's the price. At $34 for 10ml and $115 for 50ml it's not cheap, but it truly is worth every cent. I only need three or four drops to cover my face, neck and decolletage, so with twice daily use a 10ml bottle lasts me three months. That's pretty good value.

How often do people even see our socks? And couldn't non matching socks be a cool fashion statement?

I've spent a lot of time sorting socks recently, last week Chai used 14 pairs of socks. No idea how he managed that but he did. I think it's possibly caused by him throwing them all over the house/car etc instead of putting them in the wash. Or by him rejected several pairs of socks because they annoy him before he finally settles on an acceptable pair.

A while ago the MIL gave me five pairs of identical grey socks. At the time I thought it was ridiculous but I've now realised it was genius. I don't have to worry about matching up pairs cause they're all the same. Brilliant!

I'm going to do an experiment. For the next four weeks I'm not going to wear matching socks and see what happens. I bet no-one will even notice.

Imagine all the time we'd save not having to pair up socks. I reckon it'd give me at least an extra hour a week. I can do a lot in an hour. I'm sure I'm onto something here.

Wednesday, 22 July 2015

Winter is well and truly here and the cold weather requires a change in skin care. We've had a few really cold days lately, I'm starting to understand why people wear ugg boots outside of the house. This winter my skin is really suffering, it's super dry and itchy. Thankfully I have a pile of great products that are helping to counteract the cold weather and get my skin feeling good again.

Lanolips Anti-Bacterial hand cream - About time we got something like this in Australia! I've been hoarding a Bath and Bodyworks antibacterial hand cream for ages, now I don't have to. No more dry hands from using antibacterial gel. This is a brilliant product, it's hydrating, non greasy and something I'll never be without.

Clarins HydraQuench Bi-Phase Serum - I know I talk about this all the time, but it really is wonderful for dry skinned people. It's a very light serum that packs a great hit of hydration.

Schwartzkopf BB hair beautifier - This whole BB trend is getting quite ridiculous, in my opinion BB's are for the face only. Despite the silly name, this is a leave in conditioner that works really well. It's similar to the Pantene leave in one (that I can't remember the name of). I apply a small amount (about the size of a 20c coin) every second day and it leaves my hair feeling soft and smooth. I have fine hair so find that a lot of leave in treatments make my hair limp and greasy, but I don't have that problem with this treatment.

Shower oil - For me one of the irony's about winter is that my skin is really dry but I rarely moisturise as I don't like my clothes sticking to me. That's where shower oil comes in. Any oil will do, when I've been desperate I've even used olive oil. I just rub it all over when I'm in the shower, pat dry and I'm done. Moisturised skin without having to stand around waiting for my moisturiser to dry before I get dressed.

Hand cream - Cold weather requires an intensively hydrating hand cream. Some of my favourites are Lanolips Rose, Neutrogena Norwegian Formula and L'Occitane Shea. The Neutrogena Norwegian formula is almost ointment like so best used at bedtime. It makes a great hand treatment too, I lather it on before I do the dishes, put on cotton gloves then dishwashing gloves and by the time the dishes are done my hands are lovely and soft.

Subtle Energies Mogra Rejuvenating Gold moisturiser - Subtle Energies is one of my favourite brands, their products are beautiful. I'm on to my third bottle of Mogra Rejuvenating Gold moisturiser, it's my holy grail winter moisturiser. This is very hydrating so I don't think it'd work for oily skin, but for dry skin it's perfection.

Paw Paw ointment - I love the versatility of paw paw ointments, they can be used for so many different things. My current favourite is Natralus. It's all natural, smells good, comes in a convenient sized tube and is easy to find (you can buy it from the supermarket).

Orofluido - If you told me a few years ago that a hair oil could replace my beloved leave in conditioner I wouldn't have believed you and yet now I can't imagine not using a hair oil. Orofluido is by far the best oil for my fine, fly away hair. It keeps it hydrated without weighing it down or making it greasy. Fine haired people, you need this in your life.

Weleda Iris Hydrating night cream - I always have great intentions to use face masks weekly but it rarely happens. Instead I use my Weleda Iris Hydrating night cream and it makes up for my laziness. This is a great, hydrating night cream. I put on a thick layer and wake up to plump, soft skin.

Lush Ultrabalm - Ultrabalm is one of those do everything balms, similar to paw paw just a little less greasy. I use it for a whole pile of different dry skin issues, from lips to cuticles and even on my hair (just melt a little bit between your palms and use it to tame fly aways).

Model Co cream cleanser - Cream cleanser is a must in winter. I'm currently using and liking the Model Co one, the Sukin version is pretty awesome too.

Clarins Lotus facial oil - When my skin is looking terrible and dull due to not enough sleep, I have a secret weapon. I smooth on some Lotus facial oil and put a thick layer of Clarins Beauty Flash Balm over the top. Leave it on overnight and when I wake up the next morning I look like I've had a decent nights sleep. Magic. Miraculous even. Subtle Energies Facial Blend - If you haven't already tried this, stop reading and go buy it. It's hands down the best facial oil I've ever used. When I first started using oils I thought they were all fairly similar but I've since realised that they aren't. Facial Blend is perfect. It smells amazing, absorbs quickly doesn't leave my face feeling oily and keeps my face feeling good all day. I recently ran out of Facial Blend so started using another oil but it just didn't cut it. It made me look like a grease ball and halfway through the day my skin felt all dry and tight. I know it's pricy but Facial Blend lasts for ages and is worth every cent. Red Earth Lip Nectar - On those days when my lips are dry but I want some colour to them, out comes my Red Earth Lip Nectar. It has the benefits of a balm with the added bonus of a pretty pink tint. Lanolips 101 Ointment Peach - Lanolips Fruities have quickly become my favourite Lanolips products. Whilst I love them all, peach is my favourite and it rarely leaves my handbag. I use this as a lip balm, on dry spots, as a cuticle cream, on grazes that the boys have and I've even used it as an eyebrow tamer once. According to Lanolips it has 101 uses, I haven't got that far yet.Badger Creamy Cocoa body moisturiser - This is a very rich, thick moisturiser that I tend to use as a spot treatment. It can be used all over but I find it a bit too fiddly for that as it needs to be warmed between my hands before application. It works really well as a treatment for dry patches and an overnight foot balm.

Tuesday, 21 July 2015

Things have been a little quiet around here lately. We've all had winter colds and I've been struggling to find the time to blog. When I have had free time all I've wanted to do is sleep or curl up in bed. Last night inspiration struck and I came up with the idea of Top Three Tuesday. I always like reading about the products people love, it gives me new things to add to my ever growing wish list.

The Ariel Candle is a special one. It was created by Raylene after she had a daughter with Down Syndrome. Sales of the candle help raise money for the Down Syndrome Association and Lifestart Australia. The scent has a base note of patchouli, heart note of jasmine with
fruity top notes of nectarine and black current, black raspberry and
black cherries. This is a really unique, scent, it's fresh and spicy at the same time.

Tanda Modern candles are beautiful. They have wood wicks and an amazing scent throw, my whole house smells beautiful when I've been burning a Tanda Candle. Scents to try: Oakmoss and Amber, Japanese Cherry Blossom, Tahitian Lime and Coconut, Native Florals. Out of these my favourite is Native Florals. If you liked Glasshouse Leura you'll love Native Florals. The Candle Shack is a local brand that I've been wanting to try for ages. Whenever I went to my sister in laws house it always smelled like roses. Every time I asked her where the lovely smell was coming from she told me it was her Bulgarian Rose candle. The scent on these candles is so strong that I don't even need to burn them, I just leave the jar open and my house smells wonderful. Scents to try: Lavender and Vanilla, Bulgarian Rose, Cookie Dough.

This photo is just to show how lovely the Ariel and Tanda Modern packaging is.

Friday, 17 July 2015

We saw the Dr a few weeks ago and he told us Eljay has huge tonsils and adenoids. FFS.

He said they're so bad that they could obstruct his breathing and cause sleep apnea. FFS.

He's had two lots of antibiotics and a course of steroids but they didn't come down. FFS.

Over the last three weeks Eljay has seen the Dr five times. FFS.

We were told that he only has a 1cm space in his throat so he had to be monitored constantly and had to sleep in the same room as us in case he stopped breathing. FFS.

Both Dr's who saw Eljay said he has the largest tonsils they've ever seen. FFS.

Eljay has never had problems with his tonsils before, he doesn't snore, doesn't have breathing difficulties and hasn't complained of a sore throat so I didn't have any concers, but the way the Dr's were speaking I got worried. FFS.

My instinct told me that he was fine and his tonsils were only big because he was sick, but I assumed that the Dr's knew what they were talking about. Silly me. FFS.

They made us an emergency appointment with an ENT who we saw yesterday.

He looked at all Eljay's records and then asked me "so why are you here?" I told him I haven't had any concerns but the Dr's were telling me that Eljay needed his tonsils out.

After examining him and asking me a few questions the ENT's exact words were "You haven't had any concerns because there is nothing to be concerned about, there is nothing wrong with him." FFS.

Just as I suspected, Eljay's tonsils are working exactly as they are supposed to. FFS.

They are large because he's not well and they are fighting an infection, which is what they do. FFS.

So we've had Eljay on steroids that he didn't need to take and we spent $182 on an ENT visit that wasn't necessary. FFS.

Friday, 10 July 2015

I'm pretty sure I've complained before about being in the middle of my brother and sister-in-law's separation issues. FFS.

I strongly believe that you choose drama, that if you have constant drama in your life it's because you allow it. Lately I'm starting to wonder if I'm wrong. FFS.

Having said that, I don't have drama, I'm just the meat in the sandwich between my brother and SIL. FFS.

My brother talks to me about what's going on with the separation because I'm his sister. He doesn't talk to Mum and only talks a little bit to Dad, so as far as I'm aware I'm one of the few people he can/does talk to about it. FFS.

My sister-in-law talks to me about it for the same reasons, I'm one of the few people she can/does talk to about it. FFS.

I've told them both that I don't want to be in the middle, that I'm not impartial and not a good one to talk to, but they both need someone to talk to and I'm it. FFS.

I find it so difficult. FFS.

One will tell me about something that the other person doesn't know about, then the other person will start talking about the same issue and I can't/won't tell them what I know. In keeping the confidence of one I feel like I'm lying to the other one. FFS.

I'm as transparent as I possibly can be, I'll tell them both what I've told the other person and don't discuss something without checking that it's okay, but it's such a difficult situation. FFS.

A few times I've nearly put my foot in it and had to quickly back pedal. FFS.

I did that this week, I mentioned something to my SIL that my brother had been talking to me about for ages and I thought he'd said it to her, but he hadn't. FFS.

Thankfully I managed to cover myself by saying I'd made an assumption. FFS.

If either of them had someone else to talk to I'd refuse to discuss it but neither of them do, so I'm stuck. FFS.

I could refuse to discuss it but then where would that leave them both?I'm trying to look out for them, make sure they aren't letting emotion cloud the situation and remind them that they need to consider the welfare of their children instead of getting caught up in being angry with one another. FFS.

I do not like it at all. FFS.

I'm sure it will continue for a while but I'll be glad when the main things are sorted so there isn't as much to discuss. FFS.

That's it for me this week. Now it's your turn. Whinge away. Or tell me something funny or awesome or anything you like.